VietNamNet Bridge - Many large rivers in the central region have been compromised by illegal sand exploitation but the local authorities cannot stop the practice.

The Thua Thien – Hue provincial authorities in 2012 began a sand exploitation program, stipulating that sand can be exploited in two areas on Bo riverside. However, at least four large-scale sand exploitation stations have been set up.

Reporters, who were present in Huong Tra Town of Huong Van Ward on April 14, saw with their own eyes the sand exploiters working all day. The boats arrived in a place 200 meters from the Huong Dien dam. After they were laden with sand, they went down the river and gathered in a place about one kilometer far away.

However, when reporters reported what they saw, Nguyen Xuan, chair of Huong Van Ward People’s Committee said the local authorities have not been informed about this.

“There is no inhabitant in the area, while there are few visitors. Meanwhile, the local staff is limited. Therefore, we have not discovered the problem,” he said.

A local man said he cannot understand why local authorities do not know about the illegal sand exploitation as it is carried out in broad daylight.

The sand exploitation can also be seen in Huong Xuan Ward of Huong Tra Town in Quang Dien district.

According to Tran Van Tuan, a local resident, about 10-15 boats and lighters work from 2 am to noon every day on the small river section. Every boat can carry 15 cubic meters of sand, while every lighter can carry up to 100 cubic meters each time. 

A large-scale sand exploitation site has also been set up on Tra Khuc River of Quang Ngai province. Locals said the sand has been exploited for one month, but no official has turned up to prevent the illegal exploitation.

“The sand exploitation site has upset our lives,” said Nguyen Thi Thanh of Le Hong Phong Ward in Quang Ngai province. “We suffer from the noise from machines working all day. We live in fear because fights among exploiters take place so regularly.”

An inspector with the Quang Ngai provincial Department of Natural Resources and the Environment said the local authorities were allowed to exploit sand in two places only, while the remaining were all unlicensed. 

The water of Tra Khuc River that has been affected by the impromptu sand exploitation has separated residential quarters in the lower course. An Phu Hamlet of Tinh Anh Commune in Quang Ngai City has suffered the most.

“As you can see, An Phu has become an oasis in the middle of Tra Khuc River. We have to travel on boat, even on sunny days,” said Bui Toi, head of An Phu Hamlet.

NLD